WHAT HAPPENS:

When a foreigner comes to Thailand they forget that they must have income over and above all the "slow period" which is April thru to November. Its not easy now when you think of say Pattaya with over 1200 bars and ChiangMai with around 700 plus bars & restaurants all competing for the same baht & the prices for beer, food & services increasing. If you have 500,000 baht then you can run a shoe box in a Bar centre with 50 others blaring out separate music for maybe 1 year before your money runs out or your brain dries up. You need twice this amount or even more just to survive the off season and the girlfriend?? To have a business in Thailand now you need money, real money? not just dreams AS ITS ALL CHANGED NOW AS AT 2009. To survive you also need your own money rolling in from abraod as you will find it hard living in Thailand on a business with work permits etc for a 1m baht investment --just forget it. Those days have since gone in Thailand and its a lot harder now. More rules are enfirced and you cannot work here unless you have a work permit and that mean audited books each year to maintain your work permit. Need help then remember this address: www.thaiexpatlaw.com

MOST IMPORTANT THING BUSINESS ASPECT:

1/. Yes one would say location but no its management. If you are not running your business yourself be prepared to get ripped off. Management is the key to success in Thailand. Only those with charisma & a flare for the business they run, succeed and then thats hard work. If you have a good front person who speaks English, can interact with foreigners and government departments then you are half way home but this is hard to find especially someone whom you have little faith & trust in.

Buying your business in thailand :

Look closely at what you want to buy then form a Company and buy the building if you can afford it so you can take 100% value from depreciating all the costs using your name not that of a Thai partner. It makes life a lot easier from leases to even having licenses under the company name and allow you to work with a work permit. As you will see many Realties in Thailand do not sell bars. The reasons are simple. Bars do not make money and those that do are sold via word of mouth just like the West & cost min 3 - 50m baht. "Thus why should Realties be blamed for something that does not work-- bars are it?

Many bars are run by Thai girlfriends whose money comes from retirees or boyfriends wanting to do something different. The old saying" I've always wanted to own a bar to tell the folks back home"- only trouble is many make nothing!!!!!! but relieve the pressure from their own countries to relax knowing they have a bar. Those who try can have a partnership but looking at any bars here; do not go on any bookkeeping as basically thats a complete waste of time. If a partnership, most of the income is under the table & if a company Ok then normally there is a work permit available and the books have had yearly audits but still many are underwritten. If you buy a business without a company then forget looking at the monthly take period. Most bars that do work are owned by expats who have lived here for years---they succeed as they know the whole environment and most GOOD bars sell by word of mouth not advertised. Some will even resort to loading up customers as a front eg. one place on the river we know that has since gone bust?? did this. Also rents can be high eg Loi Kroh 25-35,000 baht and Thapae Rd 40,000 baht a month.Moonmuang Rd 50,000 baht a month.  Add over double this and thats what you need just to cover your costs per month =100,000 baht a month at the least.

WHAT HAPPENS:

When a foreigner comes to Thailand they forget that they must have income over and above all the "slow period" which is April thru to November. Its not easy now when you think of say Pattaya with over 1200 bars and ChiangMai with around 700 plus bars & restaurants all competing for the same baht & the prices for beer, food & services increasing. If you have 500,000 baht then you can run a shoe box in a Bar centre with 50 others blaring out separate music for maybe 1 year before your money runs out or your brain dries up. You need twice this amount or even more just to survive the off season and the girlfriend?? To have a business in Thailand now you need money, real money? not just dreams

WHAT YOU ARE UP FOR: & will expect to pay

1/. Cost of the business. This is usually key money and can vary. The key money will depend on the income this biz makes if any but usually covers the chattels and alterations AND WHAT THE SELLER THINKS HE IS WORTH. Normally just forget about the key  money ---try and think what it would cost you to do the place up from bare (scratch) and now you have the listed price. In Pattaya, Chiangmai etc in 2009 shophouse landlords will charge rents from 20-50,000 baht a month then watch your business after the first year they want 100,000 baht key money per year bonus ----sometimes even ask for sas shre of your business or youre out --- or even ask for more money the second year. Answer: buy your own building if this is the case as it will save you headaches as each year the landlord will get greedier??

2/. Signed contract with a lawyer preferably and not the other person's lawyer but once you pay a deposit you are committed unless the seller breaks the contract. This is binding so forget coming up with stories if other places around the vicinity say your buy makes nothing??? Remember if you have done your homework then theres no need to talk to others around town --anyway how would they know what skills and theme you are about to break into!! as they will copy. If wanting to claim on your tax ask before you sign that you can list the lease under your company name or partnership name. This is important as you need to have expenses if on a work permit and things in the Company name to claim on.

3/. Make sure the business belongs to the seller & check chattels etc & if the bills are paid before you sign. We have seen where the telephone is in the previous person's name & the landlord says you have to oay for this if you want on --- some landlords pay nothin even leaks you have to pay for..

4/. Leases in some areas are down to year by year which means if you make any money next year the lease could increase. In ChiangMai around the night bazaar some bars have month by month leases but 1 year leases are more common now and if youre lucky maybe a 3 x 3 year lease or even 5 year lease then youre doing well. Watch our for leases with 3 year contracts and some in Changklan Rd want 20,000 baht plus for shophouses empty and 6 months paid up front; 3 months deposit. In Nimmanhemin Rd a good shophouse near the Amari Rincome will be up to 50,000 baht per month & more and 3 year contracts. Remember Changklan Road floods every year and places to stay away from are night bazaar ground floors & Nong Hoi where it floods each year.

5/. You need a partnership if you have a Thai partner but remember if you need a work permit & you believe your business will work go for the Company and work permit. You have more protection than a limited partnership but its up to you as you know best.

6/. Licenses: The holder of the property (Thai) must hold the cigarette, liquour & food licenses in their name. Therefore the premises leased are in the name of a Thai or a Company. You can protect yourself with a contract written up by a law Office. ( Essential ) Foreigners cannot hold the license.

7/. Talk to the neighbours about flooding, power & water cuts & music or factories. If you have girls then expect to pay tea money to the local constabulary & don't sell viagra unless you hold a pharmaceutical license.

8/. Make sure power etc is paid up and bills clean & the power isn't being used by the neighbour before you sign on the dotted line. If not make a clause in the lease.

9/. Most of all you need good luck? as in Chiangmai owning a bar is a lifestyle not a money making business but with the right PR and hospitality skills there have been success stories. It is entirely up to you. Estimated closts per month with 4 employees, Company, monthly social welfare, expenses is 50,000 baht

10/. Once you are happy to buy then you will be asked to pay a deposit. This can be anywhere from 10-30% down. Read it carefully as after you sign there is no going back --you are committed. If either party defaults then the other receives the deposit but the terms of the agreement are plain. We are talking about a business now so don't try to ask for 1/2 back if you are at fault or say your mama is sick and needs urgent medical care. This is Thailand and a binding contract & you alone are the signee not your mama.

Good luck.

OTHER BUSINESSES:

Good businesses that have a company are the way to go. Make sure they have audited books and use a lawyer to help. Ask us or check on this excellent website for help. www.thaiexpatlaw.com have lawyers and great legal help for everyone..

OUR ADVICE: 

2009: Buying into a Business in Thailand: If you want to work in Thailand then you need a work permit, Office & staff.  This means you need a Thai company. To set up you need to show 2m baht for share capital and have enough money for your business setup and 4 Thai employees ---- not nominees; wages, tax including VAT, Office, social welfare and withholding tax etc. Be aware this will cost around 1-1..5m baht the first year of business so buying into a new or existent business expecting a work permit take this into consideration on the asking price. Being a partner in a business with a work permit will cost min 3m baht if there is goodwill in the business and the books are sound. This includes 2m baht for the company change and 1m baht goodwill costs. For each work permit you must have 4 Thai employees on your books and they will be interviewed by the labour office so make sure you have proper workers not nominee workers given to you by a friend or the business that forms your company---it is you that will get the blame if you are caught.!

    If you have the money and plan worked out then buy the land  with a company & build or buy existing property and renovate. This way you eliminate any problems with landlords and you have full control of your business and land via a Thai Company. We will help those with excellent advice on locations to even obtaining the right manager for you if you use our services. Having your own property will also provide you with a better resale value should you decide to sell later or even lease and the fact you will sleep at night. We do assist all buyers of property and we have our own builders, architects and staff on hand to help you. Check out www.thaiexpatlaw.com